Until Tybalt's death, Shakespeare actually presents the parent/child relationship as a largely supportive one. In Act 1, scene 1, Romeo's mother and father are grateful that he was not at the street fight, but they are very worried about him because he has been so unhappy lately. Lord Montague says that with Romeo's tears, he "augment[s] the fresh morning's dew" and that Romeo "Shuts up his windows, lock[ing] fair daylight out" (1.1.135. 142). He entreats...
Until Tybalt's death, Shakespeare actually presents the parent/child relationship as a largely supportive one. In Act 1, scene 1, Romeo's mother and father are grateful that he was not at the street fight, but they are very worried about him because he has been so unhappy lately. Lord Montague says that with Romeo's tears, he "augment[s] the fresh morning's dew" and that Romeo "Shuts up his windows, lock[ing] fair daylight out" (1.1.135. 142). He entreats Benvolio to help Romeo because Romeo will not divulge the cause of his depression to his parents or any other friends. Montague says, "Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow, / We would as willingly give cure as know" (1.1.157-158). In other words, if only they knew what was causing Romeo's deep sadness, they would happily do anything to help him. This is pretty loving and supportive.
Furthermore, Juliet's father seems likewise as concerned for her well-being. When the County Paris expresses his immediate desire to marry Juliet, her father will not allow it. He wants to let two more years go by before he allows her to think of marriage because "too soon marred" are the young women who are made wives and mothers before they are ready (1.2.13). Moreover, he tells Paris to "woo her" and "get her heart" because "[Capulet's] will to her consent is but a part" (1.2.16-17). He tells Paris that the young man will actually have to win Juliet over because Capulet's consent to the match is only part of what is needed to confirm it; Juliet must love and choose Paris for herself. Again, Capulet seems to be thinking of his daughter's best interest, even though this match is quite advantageous and would likely elevate their status even more. Likewise, he wants Juliet to choose her husband, and he doesn't desire to take that choice away from her. (His terrible outburst as a result of her later disobedience notwithstanding.)
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